Cutting-edge technology for micro machining

Micro machining is a rapidly growing market – even complex geometries on a miniature scale can now be reliably mass-produced with materials difficult to cut.

This requires manufacturing solutions that feature cutting-edge technology. To meet stringent, high-precision requirements, the toolholding system plays a key role as the interface between the cutting tool and machining centre – which is where the new powRgrip® PG 6 system size from the Swiss tool manufacturer REGO-FIX comes in.

With concentricity of <0.003mm, a minimal outside diameter profile and fine balancing for high speed spindles, this new tool holder has been specially designed to meet the stringent high-precision requirements involved in micro machining.

Since first being employed in the watch and jewellery industry, micro machining has over the years constantly found new areas of application, for example in mould making as well as in the automotive, medical, electronics and optical industries.

This has primarily been the result of waves of innovation driven by tool and toolholding manufacturers as well as machine manufacturers offering solutions for new procedures and product developments that can rise to the tremendous challenges when it comes to precision and process reliability. This means that even the machining of complex materials leads to cost-efficient results.

Cutting edge REGO-FIX technology, available from SEI Carbide Australia, is now being used by major aerospace companies worldwide.

Micro machining has its own special requirements, particularly when it comes to tool clamping. In medical technology and mould construction, for example, the tool holder must demonstrate the following properties: high concentricity, maximum vibration dampening, a small body profile, long projecting lengths for deep pockets, and a high degree of flexibility in tool clamping.

The new powRgrip® system size PG 6 meets all of these requirements. For example, the collet holder has an outer diameter of 10mm and offers a small body profile.

Small tool shafts of between 0.2mm and 3.175mm can be reliably clamped in this system. The clamping principle employed by the powRgrip® system enables a high precision in tool presetting an maximizes the repeatability during tool changes. This is achieved without heating by means of a small table top hydraulic press. Precision length preadjustment is performed by means of an adjustment screw integrated in the powRgrip® collet. The repeatable accuracy of the adjustment length is <10 μm.

PG 6 is finely balanced, making it perfectly suited for high-speed cutting (HSC). The low concentricity of <0.003 mm for the overall powRgrip PG 6 system (collet and collet holder) makes it ideal for high speed spindles. This reduces tool wear and is a prerequisite for excellent surfaces.

The flexibility of the powRgrip system and the different sizes (PG 6, PG 10, PG 15, PG 25, PG 32) provide a wide range of tool clamping options. PG6 collet holders and collets are compatible with the PGC 2506 clamping unit from REGO-FIX for clamping small diameters by means of a hydraulic hand pump. If the customer already has such a clamping unit, only one additional adapter for PG 6 is required. The clamping procedure is quick, easy and reliable.

The user will find PG 6 an efficient and extremely durable tool holding system for micro-machining. Even after many years of use, it will continue to offer the same level of precision as on the first day of usage.

The new PG 6 powRgrip system size has a concentricity of <0.003 mm, a minimum interfacing contour of 10 mm and is finely balanced for high spindle speeds. This new tool holder is therefore optimally designed to meet the high requirements involved in micro-machining.

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